David D. Edwards, a president of the Northalsted Area Merchants Association and owner of the upscale piano bars Gentry on Halsted and Gentry on State, passed away Feb. 27 after a battle with lung cancer.
Edwards was proud of his clubs, once telling Metromix that Gentry is ‘an upscale atmosphere that caters to a professional clientele—older or younger.’ The nightspots’ Web site features a home page with a picture of Edwards and words from ‘The Boy with the Bugle’ from Mame as a dedication to him. A memorial service will be held at the end of the month.
The bar was established in March, 1983 at 712 N. Rush St. by Alden Jones. In February, 1997 the building was purchased and Gentry’s lease was not renewed causing the new owner, David Edwards, to relocate the club he had purchased in November, 1988. Gentry customers were without a downtown home until the new location was opened Dec. 23, 1997. The current locations are on State and Halsted streets.
See www.rememberingdavid.com.